On the quest for beautiful skin there’s a fine line between being loyal to your skin care practice and going a little too far. I have girlfriends, all of whom shall remain nameless, who think that leaving their skin care products on longer than the suggested time makes them work better. This, however, couldn’t be further from the truth.

You should always follow the directions to maintain product effectiveness and avoid over drying or irritating the skin. This goes for masks and other treatment products, especially those with ingredients that help with exfoliation.

To achieve the maximum benefits from your skin care products, choose items that are appropriate for your skin type and apply them according to the directions. Avoid impatience with products, and give your skin care a chance to work.

Now that you know what to do, what are a few products that you can’t get enough of?